I expected a mixtape similar to Sam Adam’s all electronic hip-hop mixtape with the title Electric Playground (Download). Instead SoLo gave us a mixtape more on pop-heavy hip-hop with electronica based melodies.

Overall this mixtape screams catchy, party and fun frat rap, I’m ashamed to like it, yet I do. If you consider SoLo a pop artist with some hip-hop skill, it makes this mixtape feel much better. I think it’s the cool samples that get to me in terms of liking it.

Here’s the highlights of Electric Playground.
SoLo – Blast Off [Produced By Jon Kilmer]
SoLo – Girls [Produced By Jon Kilmer]
SoLo – We Are The Radio (feat. Danika Lee) [Produced By Kajmir Royale] *placed on BYNH 3
SoLo – P.A.R.T.Y (feat. Jerry Robinson) [Produced By DJ Shaw-T]
SoLo – Mystery Girl [Produced By DJ Shaw-T]
If you like SoLo, I recommend you follow him on: facebook

Tags: Danika Lee, DJ Shaw-T, Electric Playground, Hip-Pop, Jerry Robinson, Jon Kilmer, Kajmir Royale, SoLo

I would consider Aer chill-hop since they have chill melodies and instrumentals yet smooth rapping over it. A couple months ago they put out “The Reach” and I became a fan as I loved this chill guitar beat with solid rapping from this Maryland music group.

Look for more from them on the site. Until then, here’s my two favorites from Aer for a chill Saturday afternoon.
Aer – The Reach (MUST Download)
Aer – Story To Tell (Biggie Remix)

Follow Aer on: facebook / twitter

Tags: Aer, Biggie Remix, chill-hop, Maryland

Tyler, the Creator‘s much anticipated album, Goblin, is slated to release on May 10th. Here’s the first and only leak off the album; a track called “Tron Cat”. If this is what the rest of the songs on the album are going to sound like, then I am very excited for it’s release. Once again, over hard beats, OFWGKTA‘s leader Tyler provides some very intense and controversial lyrics.

“Rape a pregnant bitch and tell my friends I had a threesome.”

Tags: Goblin, OFWGKTA, Tyler The Creator

Recently, chillwave rockers Toro y Moi put out a 37-minute mix for Modular’s Modcast series. It starts off with some reggae and gets real weird from there. The mix is full of retro sounding tracks from motown to freaky rock and roll, and the moods shift so smoothly. It’s exactly what I would’ve expected from this group, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. Listen to it below and check the full track list courtesy of Gorilla Vs. Bear.

Toro y Moi :: Made in Bed mix

A First Class Dub – King Tubby
Come Live With Me – Dorothy Ashby
Part Version 8 – Piero Piccioni
Pealed Tomato – Chorafas
It’s Choade My Dear – Connan Mockasin
Mariangela e la Seduzione – Ennio Morricone
Show Me To The Window- Robert Lester Folsom
Chi Mi Cerchera – Enrico Simonetti with Goblin
Was It All In Vain – Bixio Frizzi Tempura
Rainbow Ride – Kathy McCord
O Sabia – Les Wanted
Clay Horses – Julian Lynch

Tags: chill, made in bed, mix, Toro y Moi, trippy

A young new group to watch out for is Crossover Kidz who have this hip-hop/pop style with superb production, and a catchy upbeat sound. Recently they release their debut mixtape, Picture Perfect (Download) and I was surprised by how many songs I ended up really liking on the tape.

Here’s my 3 favorites from Picture Perfect.
Crossover Kidz – My Story
Crossover Kidz – Distant ft. Sonny Shotz
Crossover Kidz – Dark Hearted ft. Jordan Brown
Follow Crossover Kids on: facebook / twitter

Tags: Crossover Kidz, debut mixtape, Hip-Pop, jordan brown, Picture Perfect, Sonny Shotz

B.o.B jumps on Owl City’s “Alligator Sky” previously done by Shawn Chrystopher. I really enjoy this version however it appears that this may have been leaked without B.o.B knowing because the Shawn Chrystopher version will appear on Owl City’s next album. Either way, it is a great track, with sensational rapping by B.o.B, instrumentals, and singing by Owl City. Enjoy!

Tags: "Alligator Sky", B.o.B., Owl City, Shawn Chrystopher

Mac Miller returns with yet another awesome and very relaxing hip-hop track. It’s called “Talk About” and it’s about exactly what the title of the song entail, talking about what to rap about. This kid has done some big things already in the past year and he is only getting more popular and more talented. I look forward to the release of his debut album this summer. Enjoy!

Tags: "Talk About", Mac Miller, Pittsburgh, relaxing hip-hop

Now that summer’s coming up, I think everyone needs some more reggae music in their lives. I mean, who isn’t thinking about hanging out in some great weather? Anyway, Hawaii’s THE GREEN will fulfill all of your wishes for some music that you can turn on and, no matter where you are or what time of year it is, imagine that you’re hanging at the beach in summertime. Their music is cool because they add a unique Hawaiian vibe to their sound, which is something you don’t see in most reggae today.
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Tags: debut, hawaii, never, Reggae, self titled, The Green, Wake Up

Shout out to Pooch from This Bonus Track for letting me know about his friend, Josh Smith aka Smitty. Josh Smith makes a genre-blending mix of hip-hop with influences of pop and electronic for a smooth sound. Here’s two of my favorites from Josh Smith, who has a truly unique sound among the average emerging talents these days.
Josh Smith – Deadbeat Winter ft. Josh Freed
Josh Smith – Lady
Follow Josh Smith on: facebook / twitter

Tags: genre-blending, Josh Freed, Josh Smith, Michigan, mixing genres, Smitty

Dancernaut is an artist that uses electronic type beats and then has a hip-hop/pop style over them. I think it’s real catchy, fun to listen to and perfect for a party/club atmosphere. Get thirsty Thursday started with these two Dancernaut tracks.
Dancernaut – love ‘n La
Dancernaut – Floating Around (feat. Ari Melo & Bijan)

If you like Dancernaut’s music, follow him on: facebook / twitter

Tags: Ari Melo, Bijan, Dancernaut, Electronic Pop Hop